Connecting means for movable concrete chute sections



Sept. 11, 1962- c. G. LYNCH 3,053,367

CONNECTING MEANS FOR MOVABLE CONCRETE CHUTE SECTIONS Filed May 11, 1959 ff Mm chute.

`charged from the main chute.

United States 3,053,367 CONNECTING MEANS FOR MOVABLE CONCRETE CHUTE SECTIONS Cecil G. Lynch, Waterloo, Iowa, assignor to Construction Machinery Company, Waterloo, Iowa, a corporation of Iowa Filed May 11, 1959, Ser. No. 812,524 Claims. (Cl. 193-10) My invention relates to interconnecting troughs or chute sections and more particularly to the means for connecting these chute sections to each other.

All trucks mounted concrete mixers have a trough-like concrete discharge chute which is generally pivota-lly mounted by one of its ends to the truck or mixer frame. These chutes usually extend downwardly in an adjustable inclined position away from their point of pivotal connection to the frame. The function of these chutes is obviously to assist in the discharge operation of the concrete mixer. The chute is pivoted, raised and lowered so that it can `discharge concrete into wheelbarrows, hoppers, concrete buggies, or directly into the concrete forms. Most truck mixers carry an auxiliary chute which can be used to extend the eifective length of the above-described chute. My invention relates to the means for connecting these two chute members.

The two chute members must be movably secured together and must be capable of ibeing completely separated at times. Some auxiliary chutes must be removed from the main `chute while the tinck is traveling to prevent the inadvertent separation and loss or damage of the auxiliary On other occasions, it is desirable to remove the auxiliary chute and reverse its position so that it can serve as a guide or a -deector for concrete being dis- And even if the auxiliary chute does not need to be removed from the main chute while the truck is traveling, it must be folded back over the main chute at times to decrease the overall length of the unit.

The presence of concrete in these chutes known to me greatly aggravates and impairs their successful operation as far as being removed from each other `and pivoted with respect to each other is concerned. A variety of hook `devices are used to interconnect the chute sections and some of these hook devices employ moving parts so that the chute sections can be either selectively moved or selectively removed from each other. Obviously, the presence of moist concrete on and around these hook units greatly impairs their operation and sometimes renders them inoperative. The hook devices which do not use moving parts are also not immune from the adverse aifects of caking concrete which impairs movement of the chutes from one position fto another. These latter devices are generally open-hook means which will not safely keep the two chutes connected while the truck is traveling and which require that the auxiliary chute be carried elsewhere on the truck when the ltruck is traveling.

Therefore, the principal object of my invention is to provide a connecting means for movable concrete chute sections which will not have its functions impaired by concrete particles; which *has no moving parts; and which will effectively maintain the auxiliary chute in any desired position with respect to the -rnain chute.

A further object of my invention is to provide a connecting means for movable concrete chute sections which will have the characteristic of removing concrete particles from its operational surface while being moved from one position to another.

A still further object of my invention is to provide a connecting means for movable concrete chute sections which will permit easy movement of the chute sections from one position to another.

3,053,367 Patented Sept. 11, 1962 A still further object of my invention is to provide a connecting means for movable concrete chute sections which will permit easy removal of the auxiliary chute from the main chute if such is desired.

A still further object of my invention is to provide a connecting means `for movable concrete chute sections which will be economical of manufacture, durable in use, and rened in appearance.

These and other object-s will be apparent to those skilled in the art.

My invention consists in the construction, arrangements, and combination, of the varying parts of the device, whereby the objects contemplated are attained as hereinafter more fully set forth, specifically pointed out in my claims, and illustrated in the accompanying drawings, in which:

FIG. l is a perspective view of my device connecting and holding two chute sections in folded or traveling position. These chute sections are shown to 4be mounted on the rear end portion of |a truck-mounted concrete mixer unit;

FIG. 2 is a partial side elevational view of my device showing the auxiliary chute in its operating and extended position with respect to the main chute;

FIG. 3 is a partial top view of my device as shown in FIG. 2; and

FIG. 4 is a partial elevational view of my device showing the auxiliary chute in its reversed position with respect to the main chute. y

I have used the numeral 10 to generally designate the chassis of a truck unit. A concrete mixer frame 12 is mounted in any convenient fashion on chassis 10. The exact details of the concrete mixer mounted on frame 12 do not constitute a part of my invention. The mixer is comprised of a drum 14 which is rotatably mounted in conventional fashion on frame 12 with a concrete discharge mechanism 16 mounted on the frame at the rearward end of the drum. A beam 18 extends rearwardly from frame 12 with a hollow bearing member 20 vertically disposed thereon. An `arm 22 is rigidly secured to vertical shaft 24 which in turn is rotatably mounted in bearing member 20. One end of elongated chute 26 is secured to arm 22 and adapted to pivot in a ventical plane with respect to the arm and frame 12. The details of the connection between arm 22 and chute 26, not being a part of my invention, are not shown in their entirety. A length-adjustable bracing member 28 connects the lovver end of shaft 24 and the outer lower end portion of chute 26. A bracket 30 can be welded or otherwise secured to the outer lower end porti-on of chute 26 and the end of bracing member 2S is pivotally secured thereto by pin 32.

Chute 26 is substantially U-shaped in cross section and is generally in the inclined position shown in FIG. 1. The chute 26 can obviously pivot on arm 22 and shaft 24 within bearing member 20. Beading 34 is secured to the outer surface of chute 26 at a point slightly removed from the outer end thereof to provide a lip portion 36 thereon as shown in FIG. l. As shown in FIGS. 2 and 4, beading 34 extends slightly above the top edges of chute 26. Cylindrical lugs 38 extend laterally outwardly from 'the extreme upper end portions of beading 34.

An auxiliary chute 40 is very similar in its general shape to chute 26. The inner end of chute 40 has beading 42 thereon which is capable of receiving lip portion 36 of chute 26 within its inner perimeter. A pair of hook members 44 are welded or otherwise secured to the uppermost end portions of beading 42 on the inner end of chute 40. Hooks `44 extend slightly beyond and above the inner end of chute 40 and have an open passageway 46 extending upwardly from their lower peri-meters in a direction substantially perpendicular to the longitudinal axis ofthe chute. The width of passageway 46 is slightly greater than the diameter of lugs 38 on chute 26. Passageways 46 penetrate into hooks 44 to a point above the plane of the top or open portion of chute `40 where they communicate with notch openings 48. Notch openings 48 extend at right angles from passageways 46 toward the outer end of chute 4t) and are substantially parallel to the longitudinal axis of the chute. As best shown in FIG. 2, both ends of notch openings 48 are rounded and the width of these notch openings is substantially equal to that of passageways 46. Notch openings 48 dwell lin a plane just above the top of chute 40 asviewed in FIG. V2.

A bracket 58 is welded or otherwise secured to the lower end portion of chute 40 adjacent beading 42 and latch member 52 is pivotally secured thereto by pin 54. A lip 56 on one end of latch member S2 is capable of engaging lug 58 on the bracket 30 of chute 26 at times as will be discussed hereafter.

Handles 60 extend laterally from the top edges of chute 40 and can be comprised of a resilient material. Handles 60 perform the conventional role of handles and also serve as a cushion between the chute members which will be described hereafter.

The normal operation of my device is as follows: By observing FIG. 2, it is seen that the two chutes 26 and 40 can be placed in co-extensive relationship so that the lugs 38 on chute 26 are received into passageway 46 in hooks 44. The lugs 38 then dwell in the end of notch opening 48 adjacent the passageway 46. The inner perimeter of beading 42 on the end of chute 40 embraces lip v36 on chute 26 and the beading elements 34 and 42 on the two respective chutes abut each other. The weight of chute 40 tends to hold the two chutes in this position. Latch member 52 on chute 40 can be operated so that the lip 56 thereon will engage the lug 58 on chute 26 to prevent any exterior force from inadvertently tipping the chute 40 upwardly with respect to chute 26. This position of the two chutes, as shown in FIGS. 2 and 3, represents their respective positions when concrete is being delivered down the chutes. Latch member 52 is merely a precautionary device as the hooks 44 and the weight of chute 40 cooperate to maintain this position.

When it is desired to move the chute 40 from the operative position of FIG. 2 to the folded, traveling position of FIG. 1, it is only necessary to disengage latch member 52 from the lug 58 on chute 26, and pivot the chute 40 upwardly about lugs 38. As soon as chute 40 is pivoted to a certain height, its weight will cause it to slide on lugs 38 so that lugs 38 will then dwell in the opposite end of notch opening 48. The movement of lug 38 `from one end of notch 48 to the other tends to eradicate any concrete material that might have become lodged therein. The engagement of lugs 38 with the ends of notch openings 48 opposite to passageways 46 further prevents the inadvertent removal of the chute 40 from chute 26 when the two chutes are in folded condition shown in FIG. 1. Note that handles 60 on chute 40 can bear on the top ledges of chute 26 to provide a cushion effect therebetween. While in this folded condition, chute 40 cannot slide downwardly from chute 26 because of the presence of lug 38 in one end of notch 48. Similarly, the chute 40 cannot move laterally and even its own Weight will prevent inadvertent pivoting about lugs 38. Thus, in the two extreme positions shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, respectively, the hooks 44 will maintain the connection between the two chutes even though the position of the hook has been reversed 180 degrees, or completely overturned.

Chute 40 can be removed from chute 26 by removing the weight of chute 40 from lugs 38 and then imposing linear motion rather than pivotal motion to the chute to guide lugs 38 out of notch 48 and passageway 46. This is best accomplished while chute 40 is tilted slightly upwardly from its position shown in FIG. 2. It should be noted that the normal operation of the chutes in their extended position (FIG. 2) or fold-ed position (FIG. l), or intermediate positions (while pivoting from one position to another) will never call for linear motion to be imparted to chute 40 and the lugs 38 will therefore never have an opportunity to pass through passageway `46. This is true even when the chute 40 has been removed from chute 26 in the manner described and its position on lugs 38 reversed, as shown in FIG. 4. It is obvious that the chute 4t)l in FIG. 4 cannot move to the `right because of chute 26 and cannot move to the left because of hooks 44. Chute 40 cannot move downwardly because of hooks 44 and its own weight prevents it from moving upwardly. Thus, the chutes 26 and 40 can assume a third ultimate position and hooks 44, in combination with the chutes, will absolutely maintain the respective positions of the two chutes.

Thus, from the foregoing, it is seen that my device will accomplish at least all of its stated objectives.

Some changes may be made in the construction and arrangement of my connecting means for movable concrete chute sections without departing from the real spirit and purpose of my invention, and it is my intention to cover by my claims, any modiiied forms of structure or use of mechanical equivalents which may be reasonably included within their scope.

I claim:

l. In combination, a iirst elongated concrete chute being substantially U-shaped in cross section, a second elongated concrete chute being substantially U-shaped in cross section, means pivotally connecting said iirst and second chute members, comprising, lug elements projecting laterally outwardly from one end of said `first chute, hook members having an elongated notch opening on one end of said second chute and embracing said lug elements on said iirst chute, and passageways extending from said elongated notch openings to the outer perimeters of said hook members; said lug elements being free to have relative sliding movement within said notch openings when said chutes are being pivoted with respect to each other; said passageways in said hook members extending downwardly towards the bottom of said rst chute section when said iirst chute section is in an upright horizontal position.

2. In a connecting means for movable concrete chute sections, a rst chute section having an end, said end of said rlirst chute section including upper portions, hook members adapted to be connected to the upper portions of the end of said first chute section, said hook mem- =bers adapted to extend above and beyond the end of said chute section, a passageway in said hook members extending from their outer perimeters and communicating with an elongated notch opening therein, a second chute section having an end, said end of said second chute section including upper portions, lug elements extending laterally outwardly from the upper portions of the end of said second chute section, said passageways and said elongated notch openings adapted to receive said lug elements extending laterally outwardly from the upper portions of the end of the second chute section, said passageways in said hook members being substantially perpendicular to the longitudial axis of said first vchute section, and said elongated notch opening being substantially parallel to the longitudinal axis of said iirst chute section; said passageway in said hook member extending downwardly toward the bottom of said first chute section when said iirst chute section is in an upright horizontal position.

3. In a connecting means for movable concrete chute sections, a first chute section having an end, said end of said iirst chute section including upper portions, hook members adapted to be connected to the upper portions of the end of said iirst chute section, said hook members adapted to extend above and beyond the end of said chute section, a passageway in said hook members extending from their outer perimeters and communicating with one end of an elongated notch opening therein, a second chute section having an end, said end of said second chute section including upper portions, lug elements extending laterally outwardly from the upper portions of the end of said second chute section, said passageways and said elongated notch openings adapted to receive said lug elements extending laterally outwardly from the upper portions of the end of the second chute section, said passageways in said hook members being substantially perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of said iirst chute section, and said elongated notch opening being substantially parallel to the longitudinal axis of said ftirst chute section; said passageways in said hook members extending downwardly towards the bottom of said first chute section when said first chute section is in an upright horizontal position.

4. In combination, a first elongated concrete chute being substantially lU-shaped in cross section and having a lower end, means for normally supporting said first chute in an inclined position with its lower end in an extended position, a second elongated concrete chute being substantially U-shaped in cross section, means pivotally connecting said rst and second chute members, comprising, lug elements projecting laterally outwardly from the lower end of said iirst chute, hook members having an elongated notch opening on one end of said second chute 'and embracing said lug elements on said lirst chute, and passageways extending from said elongated notch openings to the outer perimeters of said hook members; said hook members and said lug members being so positioned on said irst and second chutes, respectively, and said notch openings being so positioned in said hook members, that said lug elements will have relative movement between the opposite ends of said notch openings when said chutes are being pivoted with respect to each other.

5. In combination, a iirst elongated concrete chute being substantially U-shaped in cross section and having a lower end, means for normally supporting said iirst chute in an inclined position with its flower end in an extended position, a second elongated concrete chute being substantially `U-shaped in cross section, means pivotally connecting said lirst and second chute members, comprising, lug elements projecting laterally outwardly from the lower end of said iirst chute, hook members having an elongated notch opening on one end of said second chute and embracing said lug elements on said first chute, and passageways extending from said elongated notch openings to the outer perimeters of said hook members; said hook members and said lug members being so positioned on said iirst and second chutes, respectively, and said notch openings being so positioned in said hook members, that said lug elements will have relative movement between the opposite ends of said notch openings when said chutes are being pivoted with respect to each other, said passageways in said hook members extending downwardly towards the bottom of said irst chute section when said rst chute section is in an upright horizontal position.

6. In combination, an auxiliary elongated concrete chute being substantially U-shaped in cross section and having a lower end, means for normally supporting said first chute in an inclined position with its lower end in an extended position, a second concrete chute being substantially U-shaped in cross section, means connecting said second chute and said auxiliary chute to permit said auxiliary chute to be pivoted on said second chute, said means comprising, lug elements projecting laterally outwardly from the lower end of said second chute, hook members having an elongated notch opening secured to one end of said auxiliary chute, said notch openings in said hook members embracing said lug elements on said second chute, passageways extending from said notch openings to the outer perimeters of said hook members, said auxiliary chute adapted to pivot one hundred and eighty degrees on said second chute from an extreme position of direct longitudinal alignment to a second extreme overlapping position; said notch openings in said hook members moving over said lug `elements so that said lug elements will be received and positioned in opposite ends of said notch openings as said auxiliary chute is moved to its two respective extreme pivoted positions o-n said second chute.

7. The structure of claim 6 wherein the passageways are so positioned in said hook members that they will extend downwardly from said notch openings when said ttirst chute and said auxiliary chute are disposed in direct longitudinal alignment.

8. In an auxiliary concrete chute section, a horizontal elongated U-shaped chute having at least one end including an upper portion, hook members secured to the upper portion of said end of said chute and extending upwardly and longitudinally outwardly therefrom, passageways in said hook members extending upwardly from their lower perimeters and terminating in a substantially horizontal elongated notch opening in each of said hook members; a second U-shaped chute, lugs secured to an upper portion of at least one end of said second chute and extending laterally outwardly -therefrom, said elongated notch openings adapted to receive through said passageways the laterally extending lugs on said second U-shaped chute when said second lU-shaped chute is aligned in abutting relation with said aforementioned chute.

9. In an auxiliary concrete chute section, a horizontal elongated U-shaped chute having at least one end including an upper portion, hook members secured to the upper portion of said end of said chute, passageways in said hook members extending upwardly from their lower perimeters and terminating in a substantially horizontal elongated notch opening in each of said hook members; a second U-shaped chute, lugs secured to an upper portion of at least one end of said second chute and extending laterally outwardly therefrom, said elongated notch openings adapted to receive through said passageways the laterally extending lugs on said second iU-shaped chute when said second U-shaped chute is aligned in abutting relation with said aforementioned chute.

10. In combination, a lirst elongated concrete chute being substantially U-shaped in cross section and having a lower end, means for normally supporting said iirst chute in an inclined position with its lower end in an extended position, a second elongated concrete chute being substantially yU-shaped in cross section, means pivotally connecting said first and second chute members, comprising, lug elements projecting laterally outwardly from the lower end of said first chute, hook members having an elongated notch opening on one end of said second chute and embracing said lug elements on said irst chute, land passageways extending downwardly from said elongated notch openings to the outer perirneters of said hook members; said hook members and said lug members being so positioned on said first and second chutes, respectively, and said notch openings being so positioned in said hook members, that said lug elements will have relative movement between the opposite ends of said notch openings when said chutes are being pivoted with respect to each other.

References Cited in the tile of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 

